Silver Bird

摘要

Mario Costoldi, the designer of the Macchi C.202 'Folgore' required just one prototype to prove the value of his concept. So successful was M.M.455, the first C.202, that no further development aircraft were necessary - the type was immediately ordered into production. Although Italian fighters and bombers had operated with great success during the Spanish Civil War of 1936 to 1939, the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force) had fallen behind on new development. As war loomed, its fighter force was still largely equipped with Fiat CR.32 biplanes and similar aircraft. Even the Macchi C.200 monoplane was virtually obsolete when hostilities began - its 800hp (597kW) engine was no match for contemporary German and British designs. Like the C.200, the 'Folgore' was designed by Mario Costoldi, well known for his world speed record-breaking seaplanes. The new aircraft retained the wings, tailplane and rudder from the previous Macchi, but the fuselage was entirely new.